By Lanre Oloyede
In a bold step towards ending hunger, eradicating poverty, and fostering agricultural empowerment for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has forged a strategic partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
The groundbreaking collaboration was formalized on Thursday during a high-level advocacy visit by Hon. Abba Isa and his team to the FAO Country Representative in Nigeria, Mr. Dominque Koffy Kouacou, at the organization’s headquarters in Abuja.
The meeting centered on strengthening partnerships for inclusive development and tackling hunger among PWDs in Nigeria.
Presenting his position paper, Hon. Abba Isa stated that the partnership is a crucial step in aligning the Office of the SSA with FAO’s core mission—ending global hunger and promoting food security—while advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes inclusivity, dignity, and empowerment for all Nigerians, especially the vulnerable.
“Persons With Disabilities remain one of the most marginalized populations in Nigeria. They face barriers to land ownership, food access, and participation in agricultural programs. This partnership with FAO is about dismantling those barriers and unlocking their vast potential.”
The SSA outlined several areas for collaboration, including:
- Inclusive agricultural interventions tailored to the needs of PWDs,
- Community nutrition projects targeting rural and underserved areas,
- Joint advocacy for inclusive food security legislation across 16 states yet to domesticate the National Disability Act,
- Collaborative data mapping and research on hunger and PWDs,
- Training for agricultural extension workers on disability inclusion, and
- Pilot projects to model inclusive food systems and farming initiatives.
According to Senior presidential aide, these interventions will ensure PWDs are not only food secure but also empowered to contribute meaningfully to national food production.
Also speaking, Director of Media and Communications in the SSA’s office, Mr Lanre Oloyede, emphasized the broader vision stressing that “There is a direct link between disability and poverty. Through this partnership, we aim to break that cycle by creating equal opportunities in agriculture for PWDs who have the potential to thrive if given the right environment.”
He also emphasized the urgency of dismantling the institutional, attitudinal, and physical barriers PWDs face.
In response, FAO Country Representative Mr. Kouacou expressed strong support for the initiative, affirming that the proposed areas of collaboration align seamlessly with FAO’s strategic priorities.
“I am pleased to see the vision and commitment of your office. FAO stands ready to provide the technical support and resources needed to begin implementation immediately. The rainy season is upon us, and we must act quickly to deliver the interventions that PWDs deserve,” he said.
Mr. Kouacou reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to zero hunger in Nigeria, envisioning the country as a leader in food security across Africa. He assured the SSA that his team would initiate follow-up steps to ensure prompt rollout of the partnership framework.
The partnership between the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities and FAO is expected to serve as a model of inclusive development in Nigeria. It aligns with key Sustainable Development Goals, notably SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), offering renewed hope to millions of Nigerians living with disabilities.
